Devotees of the dystopian universe of The Handmaid's Tale have been left reeling after the first glimpse of its highly anticipated sequel series, The Testaments, revealed a surprising casting choice for a central character.
Breakout Star Takes on Pivotal Role
Hulu released the first official images from the new show on Saturday, 6 December 2025, sending shockwaves across social media. Fans quickly realised that the role of Agnes – the character previously known as Hannah, the daughter of Elisabeth Moss's June – will be played by rising star Chase Infiniti.
The 25-year-old actor, who broke out earlier this year with a critically acclaimed performance in Paul Thomas Anderson's film One Battle After Another, is now set to lead the spinoff. The series will follow Agnes and other young women navigating their coming of age under the oppressive regime of Gilead, directly continuing the story from Margaret Atwood's Booker Prize-winning 2019 novel.
Social Media Erupts with Reaction
The online reaction to the casting news was immediate and intense. On platform X, one stunned user exclaimed, "WAIT SHE PLAYS HANNAH?????" while another declared, "I had no idea Chase Infiniti was in this now I'm DEFINITELY watching."
Many fans praised the selection, with one commenting on Infiniti's previous work: "Chase Infiniti is going to blow people's minds. If you have not seen One Battle After Another, do yourself a favor. You will see that she was the perfect choice." Another fan noted the compelling dynamic ahead, writing, "If it’s true she’s playing Hannah and aunt Lydia is in this one I’ll be sat."
Returning to a Dystopian World
In the original television series, Hannah's forced separation from her mother June served as the primary motivation for June's rebellion against the totalitarian state that overthrew the U.S. government. The final season revealed Hannah was in school, being groomed for life as a wife.
In The Testaments, Infiniti will star alongside Ann Dowd, who reprises her iconic and terrifying role as Aunt Lydia. The cast also welcomes several newcomers to the franchise, including Rowan Blanchard, Lucy Halliday, and Mattea Conforti.
This marks Infiniti's third major project, following her TV debut in Apple TV+'s Presumed Innocent and her film debut opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor. Hulu greenlit the series, based directly on Atwood's sequel novel, before the final season of The Handmaid's Tale aired earlier in 2025.
The author herself has recently observed that the dystopian world she first imagined in 1985 feels "more and more plausible" in today's political climate, adding a layer of chilling relevance to the new show. The Testaments is scheduled for release on Hulu in April.
